October 28, 2012

The temperature has dropped a bit here and the windows are open and it feels great in the house. I am anticipating a full day of stitching today and can't wait.

Today's stitch is "Sequins and Waste". I love this stitch because it has so many applications. I have used it here on the ball at the feet of the dog on the Texas Santa I am stitching. Well not really stitching, since I have not taken a stitch on him in a while.

I used Neon Rays and a stranded silk. You could use it on a blanket, coat or even in a flower that has big pedals.

Olivia has made her self right at home and I can count on her being perched in the opening of the owl house every morning when I wake up and every evening when I get home. At first I thought she was just poking her head out of the hole but on closer examination of the pictures I am taking, I discovered she is perched there. That is how she was able to hop onto the limb so effortlessly.

October 21, 2012

Well shoot! Earlier this week I created my post and scheduled it for delivery this morning and for whatever reason (I am sure opporator error) it did not save and so it did not post. Soory for the delay in getting this to you.

One of the most verstile stitches I find is Packed Outline Stem. You can use it for a host of area such as Santas Beards and Mustaches,.horses Manes and Tails, peoples Hair or even baskets.

The key to this stitch is being consistant in the location of your needle in relationship to the arch of your thread.ALWAYS work from left to right. Start each row back to the left. I like to use a strandable thread so you can control the intensity of the stitch. If you are going to do the stitch for Santa's Beard and Mustaches. Use more plies for the Mustache so that it stands out.

Now for a little diversion, for those of you now on Facebook may I introduce "Olivia", the Screech Owl who is living in my backyad,

Sharon G and I watched for hours the other evening waiting for her to pop out of the house . She is not very big. Maybe 9-10".

October 14, 2012

I hope you all had a successful week of stitching. I wish I had something to share for the week but I did not take a stitch all week, which is a very bad thing. I had to get the guide written for the October Angel and then recreate all my notes for the December Angel because I have lost them all. UGH! So frustrating.

We are busy getting ready for the magnificent Sharon Garmize to come and teach in the store next weekend. I can't wait to see what wonderful ideas she comes up with for the lasies in the Canvas Enhancement class.

The stitch I am sharing with you today is one that I came up with for the April Angel. Kelly had painted these little upright crosses on her dress so I started with those and went from there. I used a stranded silk for the large Tied Crosses and Mosaics and then a metallic for the smaller crosses.

October 08, 2012

My goal for yesterday was to finish the October Angel and I had success. I woke up not feeling great, so I was a bit concerned but was able to pull it out. She turned out adorable, if I do say so myself. One more is left and she is on the bars, threads are chosen and stitches being selected.

Here are more pictures of the series

I have had a great time stitching the series but must admit the bands at the bottom have been the most challenging to come up with something differant for each one. Some have been easier than others.

I know what stitch I am going to share with you on Sunday so stay tuned.

I am off to work on the November Angel....wonder what I have planned for her.. Check back later and you will see...

October 07, 2012

Buckey's Weaving is a wonderful stitch that can be used for a number of items. I have used it here on the coat of my Longorn Santa that I stitched several years ago. It was a canvas that I asked Brenda Stofft to design for us and I had a wonderful time stitching him.

Use it for a bag, garden path or a blouse. Here I used it for Santa's coat using Baroque Silk and Krenik 8, Kreinik 8 was for the cross stitches and 2 bundles of Baroque Silk for the straight stitches. Baroque Silk is a silk thread from Pure Pallette. It is has 3 bundles in the twist. Each bundle has 3 ply. If you seperate the bundles down to the individual ply you get the heathered look like his cuff.

I am working with Brenda on a new project that I cannot wait to see what she comes up with design wise. Just a little teaser....As soon as I get designs I will share.

October 01, 2012

Tony wrapped up the last day of "Charleston Garden" yesterday ending another successful trip. As usual Tony had a lot of anecdotes to share resulting in plenty of laughs.

Now we rest, well at least until SHaron comes into town in a couple of weeks. Time to restock the store for the group that will be arriving on October 18th for Canvas Enhancement with Sharon.

One of the many things I love about having a visiting teacher in the store is the energy it creates. Customers coming in love seeing what is being worked on and it inspires them to dive into decorative stitches if they are a little hesitant.

With the finishing deadline looping (tomorrow) people were bringing in pieces to be finished on Saturday. Unfortunately I did not ger many pictures, so I will have to get them when they get back, One picture I did get was the Susan Roberts Stocking finished by Laurel S.. SHe did a great job doing Turkeywork Ribbon Trees on the top row and a double Bow down at the bottom. She used a fork to make the bows. You can see it in the March Newsletter.

Tomorrow should bring in a bunch of finishing and then it will be only a matter of time before the boxes from the finishers start coming in. I love this time of year.

So today is catchup day. Grocery store, laundry, stitching and a nap is definately on the menu.

Between Llano and Fredericksburg on Highway 16 there is a beautiful road called the Willow City Loop. It meanders through private ranches and it just amazing. The vistas and fields of wildflowers are amazing. Because of the rain and cold winter we had the Bluebonnets are particularly stunning. The white Poppies make the fields look they are covered in snow.